Bachelor in Paradise: Sam proposes to Tara

Sam Cochrane and Tara Pavlovic have taken to social media to announce their split. Picture: Channel 10Source:Supplied

BACHELOR in Paradise success story Tara Pavlovic and Sam Cochrane have broken off their engagement.

Cochrane yesterday confirmed speculation the pair had split, revealing on social media they felt they “needed time” before making it public.

“This message goes out to all the beautiful people who shared with me such an amazing journey,” he wrote on Instagram alongside photos of their engagement.

“The fairytale that I took part in was deep and surreal. My proposal was meant to be forever, but life sometimes takes you away from the dream and you wake up.

“So … deep breath ... this has come to an end.”

Sam Cochrane and Tara Pavlovic have taken to social media to announce their split. Picture: Channel 10Source:Supplied

Cochrane, who popped the question to Gold Coaster Pavlovic in the finale of the Channel 10 dating show shot in Fiji, said it was “hard” to reflect on falling in love on the show, and coming to terms with the breakup was sad.

“My heart feels broken and, obviously, having it play out in public adds so many difficult dimensions,” he wrote.

“I forgot about the cameras in Fiji and I simply fell in love. The truth is difficult, but the path ahead will show the way.

“I needed to know for sure before making anything public. That has been hard.”

Cochrane said his time with Pavlovic (pictured with him) would hold a “beautiful and difficult” place in his heart.

Pavlovic shared her own message with fans on Instagram, reiterating that they chose to wait to make it public to be sure they had made the right decision, and writing that she didn’t want the public to feel they “faked” their relationship or feelings.

“What we felt was 100% real, and we both put our best efforts in to make it work in the real world but, unfortunately, for different reasons it didn’t work out,” she wrote.

“I did love Sam very much and I wish him nothing but the best.”

Speculation the pair had parted ways began in recent weeks when they unfollowed each other on Instagram, but Pavlovic denied the rumours by sharing a picture of them cuddling in bed together.